Cast-off buckle



March 19, 1929.v l A. H. KERNGooD CAST-OFF lBUCKLL www/@ Filed June 8,1926 Wm m1,

Patented Mar.`19, 1929.

lUl`llTBD STATES v TION F MARYLAND. Y Y

PATENT OF FICEA,A'

4ALLEN H. xnmveoonror BALTIMonnQMAR'YLAND, Assrenoa ToALMA MANUFAC-TURING COMPANY or BALTIMORE crrY, on BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, A CORPORA-Application inea' lJune 8,19263 serial Nofinaii.

This invention relates to buckles and hasA special reference to a buckleof thetype known as a cast-ofibuckle, this buckle beingpeculiarlyvadapt'e'd Vfor useas a belt M5 buckle,4 avestbuckle,suspender buckle, hat band buckle, book lstrap buckle,'and inv fact, forall the purposes to which a buckle may be applied. 1

One v:important obj ect `of the invention' is to provide an improvedgeneral construction of buckle of this type. y

A second important object of the invention is to provide an improvedcast-off buckle constructedin such manner that neither belt end engagedwith the `buckle can slip, the arrangement being such that the greaterthe stress on the belt the more tightly will the belt ends be gripped bythe buckle.

A third important object of the invention is to provide an impro-ved andsimpliied buckle ofthis character wherein the yparts may all be madefrom ystamped sheet metal.

A fourth important object of then invention is to provide a device ofthis character wherein the parts may be vassembled in a simple mannerwithout riveting o-r the like and in which the assembled parts can beseparated only by the use yof excessive force. A fifth important objectof the invention is to provide a device of this character which will notmar or damage the texture of the webbing or fabric towhich it isattached.

With the above and other objects in view as will be hereinafterapparent, the invention consists in general of certain novel details ofconstruction and combinations of parts hereinafter fully described,illustrated in the accompanying drawings and specifically claimed.

In the accompanying drawings like characters of reference indicate likeparts in the several views, and:

Figure 1 is a face view of the improved buckle showing a pair of strapor lribbon ends connected thereto.

Figure 2 is a section on theline 2-2 of Figure 1. v f

Figure 3 is a rear view of the buckle with the strap or ribbon omitted,one flange of the body being partly broken away.

Figure 4 is a section on the line 4 4; of Figure 3.

`the'useto whic'li the buckle is t0 be put.

Figure 5 is afront view of onel of the sliding gripfbars used lherewithremoved from the remainder of the buckle.A

The body of `the invention may be of any desired shape and ymay also beprovided with such ornamentation as will be suitable for This'body Il()is provided with a pair of spa-ced slots 11 each having atleast one edgel2 suitably shaped to assist in grippingthe strap kor ribbon S. As hereshown the edge 12 is straight and such a straight edge is desirable'incases where the buckle is used onsoft or finely finished straps such ashat bands and fine leather belts. In other cases such as for trunkstrapsand the like some form of serration may be used, but it is notdeemed necessary to illustrate such modifications as they are well knownto those skilled in the art. At each side of the buckle and projectingrearwardly from the body in confronting relation is a pair of angleanges 13 which form with the body a pair of guide grooves for the endsof the gripping bars. Each gripping bar has a central portion 14 whichis preferably arcuate in cross section and at each end of this centralportion the bar ,has a flat head 15 litting in a respective groove ofthe body. These heads are oiset rearwardly of the central portion sothat the latter lies in a respective slot 11. By this arrangement thebars are prevented from becoming detached from the body although theyslide freely toward and from the edges 12.

j Preferably, the body is stamped from aV single piece of sheet metalwith the opposite edge turned rearwardly and then toward each other toform the angle flangesv and provide the grooves for the heads 15. Also,the

gripping bars likewise preferably stamped from sheet metal, the shapeofl the central ,portions of these bars not only adding stiffness tothel bar but also coacting with the edges 12 to produce a secure grip'on the strap or ribbon, and due to the formation of the bars a smoothbite is ei'ected between soy the head and strap during engagement whichwill not maror damage the texture of the strap. l

In use each strap is passed from rear to Vfront of the body 10 through arespective slot 11 betweenthe edge 12v and the adjacent f gripping bar.The strap end is then passed from front to rear of the body through thesame slot ll but on the opposite side of the griijiping bar. When thusarranged any pull on the strap S away from the buckle carries thegripping bar towards the edge 12' in the direction of such pull so thatthe material of the strap is tightly gripped between the bar and saidedge and the greater the stress on the strap the greater will be theclamping effect. Obviously the strap may be adjusted or released bymoving the grippingbar away from the coacting edge 12.

There has thus beenwprovided a simple and efficient device of the kinddescribed and for the purpose specified.

It is obvious that minor changes may be made in the formrandconstruction of the invention without departing from the material spiritthereof. It is not, therefore, desired to confine theinvention to theexact form herein shown and described, but it is desired to include allsuch as properly come within the scope claimed. v

Having thus described the invention7 what is claimed as new, is:

A buckle comprising a frame having an opening and provided with grooveslocated beyond the ends of the opening and disposed transversely thereofand a. bar havf ing an intermediate straiglit portion curvedtransversely and disposed in the opening of the frame, said bar havingits ends ofl'set with relation to the intermediate portion and formingheads lying in the grooves of the frame, said heads lying in a planeatene side of the edge of the intermediate portion of the bar, saidheads having side portionsdisposed beyond the Vsideedges of theintermediate portionof the bar, andthe edgesof the side portions of theheads being rounded. Y.

In. testimony whereof I ailiX mysignature. vALLEN H. KERNGOOD'.

